I have no problem with how they live. These preachers do live high on the hog...but, so what? I hope they enjoy.

I enjoy listening to a couple of them now and then. However, if they are abusing the tax laws....then, they should pay taxes. TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) now pays taxes for that reason.

I also commend the ministries that are cooperating with the Sen. And, I think the Sen should use all power within his authority to go after those that are not cooperating.

This is not a religious dogma issue...it is a government tax issue.

*Well, that is not completely true. In theory, I have no problem. A couple of them are prejudice-supportive Christians who perpetuate prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry against lgbt people. However, that is not the topic at hand.

I have no problem with how they live. These preachers do live high on the hog...but, so what? I hope they enjoy.

I enjoy listening to a couple of them now and then. However, if they are abusing the tax laws....then, they should pay taxes. TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) now pays taxes for that reason.

I also commend the ministries that are cooperating with the Sen. And, I think the Sen should use all power within his authority to go after those that are not cooperating.

This is not a religious dogma issue...it is a government tax issue.

*Well, that is not completely true. In theory, I have no problem. A couple of them are prejudice-supportive Christians who perpetuate prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry against lgbt people. However, that is not the topic at hand.

Grassley is a first class hypocrite who is GWB-Cheneys puppet when it comes to voting to finance illegal wars of agression. Someone ought to tell this stuffed suit to pull the beam out of his own eye before he goes looking at his fellow country men. His hypocrysy reaches to high heaven.

[QUOTE=davelaw40;64221]Where is the authority for Congress to act as a Grand Jury?[/QUOTE]

Part of Congress' authority is oversight of government agencies including the IRS. Therefore, it is the job of the Senate Finance Committee to ensure that tax exempt organizations correctly report income and expenses.
I can understand why Senator Grassley might question why Benny Hinn lives in a $10 million 7 bathroom, 8 bedroom mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean which he claims is a parsonage; or why Joyce & David Meyer have a $23,000 marble topped commode and a $30,000 conference table; or why Bishop Eddie Long who claims he no longer receives a salary from his church, but accepts "love offerings," lives in 9 bathroom mansion on 20 acres and drives a $300,000 Bentley.

"To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture."-- Thomas Paine: The Crisis No. V (March 21, 1778)

[QUOTE=davelaw40;64221]Where is the authority for Congress to act as a Grand Jury?[/QUOTE]

Part of Congress' authority is oversight of government agencies including the IRS. Therefore, it is the job of the Senate Finance Committee to ensure that tax exempt organizations correctly report income and expenses.
I can understand why Senator Grassley might question why Benny Hinn lives in a $10 million 7 bathroom, 8 bedroom mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean which he claims is a parsonage; or why Joyce & David Meyer have a $23,000 marble topped commode and a $30,000 conference table; or why Bishop Eddie Long who claims he no longer receives a salary from his church, but accepts "love offerings," lives in 9 bathroom mansion on 20 acres and drives a $300,000 Bentley.

"To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture."-- Thomas Paine: The Crisis No. V (March 21, 1778)

Part of Congress' authority is oversight of government agencies including the IRS. Therefore, it is the job of the Senate Finance Committee to ensure that tax exempt organizations correctly report income and expenses.I can understand why Senator Grassley might question why Benny Hinn lives in a $10 million 7 bathroom, 8 bedroom mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean which he claims is a parsonage; or why Joyce & David Meyer have a $23,000 marble topped commode and a $30,000 conference table; or why Bishop Eddie Long who claims he no longer receives a salary from his church, but accepts "love offerings," lives in 9 bathroom mansion on 20 acres and drives a $300,000 Bentley.

But THats my point; Grassley should expilicitly state his authority and basis for investigation.

I fhe thinks the IRS is letting fraudulent religions skate-he should say so.

However, if my faith requires me to live in poverty; while my leader lives an oppulent lifestyle-congress has no business interfering with my deluded lifestyle.

But THats my point; Grassley should expilicitly state his authority and basis for investigation.

I fhe thinks the IRS is letting fraudulent religions skate-he should say so.

However, if my faith requires me to live in poverty; while my leader lives an oppulent lifestyle-congress has no business interfering with my deluded lifestyle.

Eh, tax them all. Like businesses, since so many operate that way. That'll take care of the problem. And what with all the tax shelters and off-shore accounts that businesses and groups like this use anyway, they probably won't be paying anything anyway.

Dark Energy. It can be found in the observable Universe. Found in ratios of 75% more than any other substance. Dark Energy. It can be found in religious extremists, in cheerleaders. To come to the conclusion that Dark signifies mean and malevolent would define 75% of the Universe as an evil force. Alternatively, to think that some cheerleaders don't have razors in their snatch is to be foolishly unarmed.

Eh, tax them all. Like businesses, since so many operate that way. That'll take care of the problem. And what with all the tax shelters and off-shore accounts that businesses and groups like this use anyway, they probably won't be paying anything anyway.

Can't, taxing even fake religions violates over 400 years of common law- it won't ever happen.